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Former Malaysia PM Najib Razak banned from leaving country | Former Malaysia PM Najib Razak banned from leaving country |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been banned from leaving the country, immigration officials say. | Ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been banned from leaving the country, immigration officials say. |
It comes after Mr Najib said that he and his wife were planning to go on an overseas holiday on Saturday. | |
Earlier this week, Mr Najib's long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition suffered a shock electoral defeat. | Earlier this week, Mr Najib's long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition suffered a shock electoral defeat. |
Mr Najib has been accused of diverting $700m (£517m) from a state investment fund in 2015, but has since been cleared by the authorities. | Mr Najib has been accused of diverting $700m (£517m) from a state investment fund in 2015, but has since been cleared by the authorities. |
However Malaysia's new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who at 92 became the world's oldest elected leader when he was sworn in on Thursday, has said that Mr Najib could face a fresh investigation if sufficient evidence supports it. | |
Mr Mahathir has said that investigations will take place into alleged corruption in the country, including the case involving the state investment fund. | |
Mr Mahathir stood down as prime minister 15 years ago, but came out of retirement and defected to the opposition to take on and beat former protégé Najib Razak. | |
He appears to be making good on a promise, made during his election, to release imprisoned former political leader Anwar Ibrahim. | |
Mr Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah, on Saturday confirmed reports that her father will "receive a full royal pardon" and is due to be released on Tuesday. | |
Mr Anwar was once Mr Mahathir's deputy, but was jailed on widely-criticised charges of sodomy and corruption amid bitter tensions between the two men. | |
How has Mr Najib reacted to his travel ban? | |
In a tweet (in Malay), he said he had been informed by the immigration authorities that he and his family would not be allowed to travel abroad. | In a tweet (in Malay), he said he had been informed by the immigration authorities that he and his family would not be allowed to travel abroad. |
He gave no reasons for the authorities' decision, but said he would abide by it. | He gave no reasons for the authorities' decision, but said he would abide by it. |
He has also announced he is quitting as chairman of the Barisan Nasional coalition and as president of his United Malay National Organisation party. | He has also announced he is quitting as chairman of the Barisan Nasional coalition and as president of his United Malay National Organisation party. |
Mr Najib, 64, had said earlier that he and his wife Rosmah Mansor would go on a holiday on Saturday. | Mr Najib, 64, had said earlier that he and his wife Rosmah Mansor would go on a holiday on Saturday. |
It is believed they intended to fly to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. | It is believed they intended to fly to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. |
What about the corruption scandal? | What about the corruption scandal? |
Mr Najib had faced accusations of corruption and mismanagement over the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). | Mr Najib had faced accusations of corruption and mismanagement over the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). |
The scandal has gripped the country for years. | The scandal has gripped the country for years. |
1MDB, set up by Mr Najib in 2009, was meant to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub and boost the economy through strategic investments. | 1MDB, set up by Mr Najib in 2009, was meant to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub and boost the economy through strategic investments. |
But it started to attract negative attention in early 2015 after it missed payments for some of the $11bn it owed to banks and bondholders. | But it started to attract negative attention in early 2015 after it missed payments for some of the $11bn it owed to banks and bondholders. |
Then the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported it had seen a paper trail that allegedly traced close to $700m from the fund to Mr Najib's personal bank accounts. | Then the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported it had seen a paper trail that allegedly traced close to $700m from the fund to Mr Najib's personal bank accounts. |
Mr Najib has consistently denied taking money from 1MDB or any public funds. | Mr Najib has consistently denied taking money from 1MDB or any public funds. |
After being sworn in as new prime minister, Mr Mahathir said he would seek the return of millions of dollars lost in the scandal. |